IL HB4339

Adds Section 115-7.5 to the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 to address questioning of victims in sexual assault and sexual abuse cases.

Allows courts to order that a defendant representing themselves pro se question the victim through a court-appointed attorney in prosecutions for criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual abuse, or aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Court may issue this order upon motion by the prosecuting attorney when the victim's testimony will describe an act or attempted act of sexual conduct and the court finds that direct questioning by the defendant will cause the victim serious emotional or mental distress.

Permits the defendant to communicate with the court-appointed attorney, with the Illinois Supreme Court required to adopt necessary rules to implement this provision.

Clarifies that the section does not prevent both the victim and defendant from being present in the courtroom at the same time for purposes of defendant identification.